Emerson, Lake & Palmer

On the first volume of Works, ELP's classical stance degenerated into a series of postures.
Keith Emerson's lush piano concerto had no focus, Greg Lake derived nothing from full
orchestral backing other than sweetener, and Carl Palmer's dabblings were ultimately
self-serving. The disco-decadent rendition of Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common
Man" spoke for itself, and "Pirates," the band's sole attempt at a communal epic, o... More >

When the world's most overweening "progressive" group makes an album less pretentious than its title, galumphing respectfully through Scott Joplin and Meade Lux Lewis, that's news. But is it rock and roll? (Grade - C+)